At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and develop innovative travel itineraries for North America.
- Company: A respected travel business focused on enriching lives through memorable experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Shape a flagship long-haul portfolio in a values-led company that cares about its impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive travel product management experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real difference in the travel industry.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Do you have fantastic experience creating fantastic itineraries with North America at the core of your product experience? Are you equally comfortable shaping product strategy and owning commercial performance, from pricing and yield through to margin and customer satisfaction? Do you enjoy leading and developing high-performing product teams while building strong supplier partnerships and differentiated, customer-loved itineraries? Are you commercially sharp, data-driven, and confident making decisions that balance innovation, quality, and profitability? And most importantly, do you want to play a pivotal role in evolving a flagship long-haul portfolio within a purpose-led travel business that genuinely cares about the experiences it creates and the people behind them?
If this sounds like you, this Head of Product role could be an outstanding next step in your travel leadership career.
Our customer is a well-established, highly respected escorted touring specialist with a loyal customer base and ambitious growth plans across long-haul travel. Known for creating memorable, wish-list holidays, they are passionate about enriching lives through travel and continuously evolving their product to meet changing customer expectations.
This role sits within the senior Product leadership team and plays a key role in shaping the future of their long-haul offering across North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Middle East. In return, they offer a senior, high-impact role within a values-led business where product quality, collaboration, and long-term thinking genuinely matter.
In this role you will take full ownership of the strategy, development, performance, and lifecycle management of a key long-haul escorted touring portfolio, ensuring strong commercial results and exceptional customer experiences.
- Define and deliver a market-leading product strategy using data, insight, and customer feedback
- Lead the development of innovative new tours, itineraries, and partnerships aligned to brand positioning
- Identify emerging trends, customer needs, and competitor activity to shape future product direction
- Own commercial performance, driving profitability, yield, and sales across your portfolio
- Work closely with Yield to set pricing strategies, forecast demand, and manage capacity
- Monitor and optimise KPIs including margins, load factors, and customer satisfaction
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, DMCs, and partners
- Negotiate contracts to improve margin while maintaining quality and service standards
- Collaborate closely with Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Contact Centre, and Customer teams
- Brief internal teams on USPs, messaging, and product knowledge to support campaigns and sales
- Lead, inspire, and develop a small team of Product Managers and Executives
- Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, learning, and continuous improvement
Experience Required:
- Extensive proven experience in travel product management
- Strong North America product experience is essential
- Background in escorted touring is highly desirable
- Demonstrable commercial acumen with a history of delivering profitable growth
- Experience in product development, pricing, and supplier negotiations
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Strategic thinker with the ability to manage detail
- Excellent understanding of worldwide travel trends and competitive dynamics
- Experience of direct contracting and working with international DMCs
- Understanding of UK leisure travel consumers, particularly the over-50s market
- Knowledge of ATOL, ABTA, and relevant travel regulations
- Analytical, solutions-focused, and data-driven
- Self-motivated, self-aware, and committed to continuous development
Benefits and Perks:
- Competitive senior-level salary
- Hybrid working (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
- High-impact leadership role within a growing travel business
- Opportunity to shape a flagship long-haul product portfolio
- Supportive, values-led culture with long-term career progression
HEAD OF PRODUCT - NORTH AMERICA in Slough employer: Ambitions - Your Luxury Leisure Travel, Hospitality, Lifestyle & Events Recruitment Partner
Contact Detail:
Ambitions - Your Luxury Leisure Travel, Hospitality, Lifestyle & Events Recruitment Partner Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD OF PRODUCT - NORTH AMERICA in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the travel industry, especially those who have experience with North America. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and product offerings. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their long-haul portfolio.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience in product management and how it aligns with their needs. Highlight your commercial acumen and leadership skills to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF PRODUCT - NORTH AMERICA in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with North America and product management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past, and how you’ve built strong supplier partnerships.
Be Data-Driven: We love candidates who can back up their decisions with data! Highlight any experience you have with analytics, KPIs, and how you’ve used insights to drive product strategy and profitability in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions - Your Luxury Leisure Travel, Hospitality, Lifestyle & Events Recruitment Partner
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's product offerings, especially those related to North America. Familiarise yourself with their itineraries, customer feedback, and any recent changes in their product strategy. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed product teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you inspired your team or drove innovation. This is crucial for a role that requires leading high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role emphasises being commercially sharp and data-driven, come prepared with insights from your previous roles. Discuss how you've used data to inform product decisions, optimise pricing strategies, or enhance customer satisfaction. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and strategic thinking.
✨Understand the Market Trends
Research current trends in the travel industry, particularly in escorted touring and long-haul travel. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact the company’s product strategy. Showing that you’re aware of competitor activity and emerging customer needs will position you as a forward-thinking candidate.